This month we've been working on helpful resources for the 'Big Splash' festival which draws thousands to Newport and features free live music, street theatre, dance performances, workshops, craft and activities for all the family.As part of the festival's ongoing commitment to improving accessibility for autistic and neurodivergent children, young people, adults and their families, Aûtentic produced a 15-minute festival volunteers brief - tailored to the specific environments and accessibility measures in place for this event.

Fresh off the back of delivering our seminar 'Can we universally design to beneurodivergent-affirming?' at the National Neurodiversity show in Cardiff, we're preparing for a busy June and July with more speaking and exhibiting.

Last year TfGM began their work by rolling-out line manager training, and it was so well received that they have begun work on reviewing their recruitment processes. Catherine met with TfGM last month for an initial consultation and advice session. Following on from that meeting, TfGM have now turned their attention to their recruitment process and practices.

Catherine visited Welsh ICE's collaborative working space in Caerphilly, to be interviewed for a film about being part of the ICE community during Aûtentic's start-up year. The team were so helpful, when asked if the lighting could be adjusted in the interview room, and even covered the sensor on the automatic overhead lighting - so that it would switch off!

This month we've been out in the community training the wonderful Citrus Arts , an organisation close to my 'performing' heart. Activity-based socialising is so important for autistic and other neurodivergent children, young people and adults to build strong and supportive social networks. Well-structured and accessible creative activities, that promote 'positive flow states' and create opportunities for socialising in an unpressured way are invaluable. I encourage everyone to read more about autistic flow states here https://kar.kent.ac.uk/63699/ 

In the run-up to the end of 2024 we've worked with Cardiff Council on their Neurodivergent Friendly Cardiff Scheme, including delivering in-house training to thirty key contacts in their libraries and hubs, as well as training line managers from Transport for Greater Manchester and hosting an 'autism for workplaces' webinar for Howes Percival LLP.

What a fantastic few days in Manchester we had at the CIPD annual conference last week. On our stand we..